He also faces a tough challenger for re-election, the conservative premier of Bavaria, Edmund Stoiber.

Then six of Gordon's toughest challengers wiped out at once near the end of the race.

As a result, the Sao Paulo industrial center, the biggest in Latin America, is emerging as a tough and efficient challenger in world markets.

Armbruster had faced a tough challenger for his incumbency.

The incumbent, Betsy Gotbaum, faces two tough challengers as she seeks re-election.

Branstad narrowly defeated a tough challenger in his primary election, emerging victorious by less than 12,000 votes.

He and his top aides raised millions for his 2002 Senate re-election, despite the lack of a tough challenger.

Express is a tough challenger, as its sister store, the Limited, has discovered.

Greg Biffle was Hamlin's toughest challenger, but Hamlin rocketed past him for the lead on the 164th lap.

Experts say the toughest challenger for managers like Mr. Hebert is to keep the revamping from stalling.